Holy Anointing of the Sick

Anointing of the Sick is one of the seven Sacraments recognized by the Catholic Church and is associated with not only bodily healing but also forgiveness of sins. Only ordained priests can administer it, and “any priest may carry the holy oil (Oleum Infirmorum [OI]) with him, so that in a case of necessity he can administer the sacrament of anointing of the sick.” The sacrament of Anointing of the Sick gives grace for the state into which people enter through sickness. Through the sacrament a gift of the Holy Spirit is given, that renews confidence and faith in God and strengthens against temptations to discouragement, despair, and anguish at the thought of death and the struggle of death; it prevents from losing Christian hope in God’s justice, truth and salvation.

• Pastoral care of the sick and the dying

Caring for the sick and the dying is an important part of the love we share and show one another as a community, and in the way we value life as Christians. In this, we take example from the life and ministry of Jesus, who healed many, and always took time to visit the sick and the dying. The Parish Priest and lay associations such as the Sacred Heart Confraternity, Legion of Mary and the Family Encounter Movement is available for support and pastoral advice on care for the sick and dying.

“Human life is a precious gift from God; that each person who receives this gift has responsibilities toward God, self and others; and that society, through its laws and social institutions, must protect and nurture human life at every stage of its existence.” (November 2001, the U.S. Catholic Bishops) This sacred ministry is carried out in two forms:

1. Eucharistic Ministry to the Homebound.

This ministry provides Holy Communion to those who are unable to join the community at Mass, either temporarily or for an extended period. The Priest of Lay ministers visit homes, hospitals, and nursing homes, uniting the homebound to the other members of the parish through the body of Christ.

2. Anointing of the Sick

Anointing offers an opportunity for spiritual healing and community prayer for people suffering physically, emotionally or mentally. This sacrament was formerly known as “Extreme Unction,” an expression that caused some misunderstanding. Anointing of the Sick is not reserved for the dying. Rather, it is – chronologically – the last sacrament of anointing, after Baptism, Confirmation, and for clergy Holy Orders. Anointing of the Sick allows for the community to come together and pray especially for its members in need of healing. It is a spiritual opportunity to show support for the sick, and for individual members to seek healing and grace through the sacrament.

• Why should you anoint the Sick and the Dying?

Medical care need not be limited to the physical dimension it can be perfected by incorporating the spiritual dimension as well for best results in view of healing and recovery. Many secular minded Children of today fail to gift their aging, ill or dying parents this treasure of an opportunity to assure the salvation of their souls. Plan the anointing of your beloved family members when you know they are approaching that stage that death can be imminent. Preparation for death is part of the Catholic creed, a sacred duty, and a responsibility. Negligence of anointing and depriving the dying of this sacred gift cannot be compensated by ceremonial extravagance and grandeur with a pompous funeral service after death, certainly the gift of anointing is worth much more than erecting monumental plaques and crosses on the graves of the dead.

Anointing of the Sick, is administered to give strength and comfort to the ill and to mystically unite their suffering with that of Christ during his Passion and death. This sacrament can be given to those who are afflicted with serious illness or injury, those who are awaiting surgery, the weakened elderly, or to ill children who are old enough to understand its significance. A person can receive the sacrament as many times as needed throughout their life, and a person with a chronic illness might be anointed again if the disease worsens. The rite can be performed in a home or hospital by a priest, who prays over the person and anoints their head, hands and feet with Oleum Infirmorum (OI). The priest may also administer the sacrament of the Eucharist if the person has been unable to receive it and can hear a confession if so desired. If a person is at the point of death, the priest also administers a special Apostolic blessing in what is known as the Last Rites.

The special grace of the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick has as its effects:

• The uniting of the sick person to the passion of Christ, for his own good and that of the whole Church
• The strengthening, peace, and courage to endure, in a Christian manner, the sufferings of illness or old age
• The forgiveness of sins, if the sick person was not able to obtain it through the sacrament of penance
• The restoration of, if it is conducive to the salvation of his soul
• The preparation for passing over to eternal life

There is the ordinary and the extraordinary forms of this sacrament. The ordinary form is when anointing is given to a sick person not in danger of death, but the extraordinary form is when it is given in the extreme situation of death and there is no hope of recovery.

Holy Anointing of the Sick can be requested from the Parish Priest at any time or day when he is present in the Parish without any exceptions, the provision of transport is very much appreciated in this regard. For more information click the following documents:

• Click the embedded [PDF] Application Form

• Click the embedded [PDF] Communion Card